Miss Isabella Thaws a Frosty Lord(18)
“An intriguing way, you scoundrel, for forcing such a confession from me.” For releasing my hand when I’d just come to long for more.
“Scoundrel? You wound me mightily!”
“Yes, scoundrel, and I daresay one with such experience could not be wounded by anything I might utter.”
“Then perchance you overestimate my experience or do not honor your own opinion sufficiently.”
Had she possibly distressed him? She laughed at the absurdity of such a thought. “Nay. One as strong and sure as you is not to be affected by anything I might say.”
“Hmm. Strong?” He sounded pleased.
“So you’ll take that over scoundrel? Of course strong! You did carry me across a significant portion of the outer estate today and up a number of stairs without once showing any manner of undue exertion, did you not?”
“Aye, and Gregory carried you to your door.” The last was growled.
Could that be jealousy she heard? What a wondrous thought—however implausible. Not jealousy, surely. More in line with rakish bravado. “Then mayhap you should’ve been closer when I expressed the desire to retire.”
He leaned in. She knew because the heady scent of sandalwood and man suddenly surrounded her more intently than before. “Much as I am now?”
It was hard to breathe when one feared the act would bring their bosom into direct contact with another’s chest. Especially a male chest. Especially this particular male chest. Be that as it may, Isabella couldn’t stop inhaling him, taking him in down to her toes and learning his scent…memorizing everything about this wickedly wonderful encounter.
Wicked? Should she be thinking such a thing?
How could she think anything else when it was all that swirled within her—wicked, wanton thoughts no maiden should ever entertain, but entertain them she did, which prompted her to ask, “Um…what if someone comes along and sees me standing here with you?” Sees you standing so close we’re practically sharing my slippers? “Would that not put lie to our injured-ankle claim?”
“They will not.” His words contained every bit the caress his fingers delivered upon her cheek. “I took it upon myself to induce Harriet to stand sentry at the entrance to the guest wing.”
A picture of Harriet and her beribboned goose guarding the way flashed in Isabella’s mind…honking and flapping wings and pecking at potential intruders—only with Harriet flapping arms in lieu of wings and abstaining from any pecking. The fanciful image didn’t lessen the sensations streaking across her cheek one iota. “But her goose?”
“That’s where I was earlier. Outside with Harriet, finding a secure spot for her new pet to bed down in a corner of the stables. Ed refused, saying the only place that goose was going was in his gullet and I couldn’t stand by and suffer the look of woe on her face when she realized her find was ultimately meant for the dinner table.” He left off stroking her cheek and settled one broad, heavy hand upon her shoulder. “Promised her I’d find a home for the wretched thing tomorrow—that was the inducement—if she helped ensure an empty hallway and moment of privacy once we returned and found you gone.”
“It’s been vastly longer than a moment, my lord.”
“And you weren’t the only one nipped by that dam— Ah, pardon me, that deuced goose.”
“Deuced goose,” she managed with a smile, in spite of the amazing tingly warmth his hand caused to trickle down her whole body. “I may need to add that one to my repertory.”
“You refer to your earlier exclamation of ‘dratted gnats’?”
“Heard that, did you?”
“I did indeed. Care to share what others you’ve coined for your own?”
“No I do not, for they aren’t suited for genteel conversation.” What would he think of her should he overhear damned lamb or poxed fox? Not that she ever said them out loud, not ordinarily. “But there is something I would appreciate immensely should you share it with me.”
“You have but to name it.”
“Can you…” His scrutiny warmed her face and she looked off toward the Harriet-ensured empty hallway. Oh, would that she could see him too!
“Can I what?” His husky tones made her vibrate inside.
“Can you explain why you would choose to sequester yourself entertaining me when such a vast array of amusements proceed elsewhere? Do you not long to be with your friends?”
“Sooo…” Easily could she hear the smile in his voice. One finger edged beneath her chin and directed her face back toward his. “You find me entertaining, do you?”